Effect of dexamethasone on testicular enzymes of the Embden-Meyerhof and pentose-phosphate pathways

The influence of dexamethasone on the specific activities of testicular enzymes involved in the Embden-Meyerhof and pentose-phosphate pathways was studied in pre-pubertal, pubertal and adult rats. All of the enzymes showed a decrease in specific activity after dexamethasone treatment, an effect which was most drastic in pre-pubertal animals. After cessation of treatment, the specific activity of all the enzymes reverted to normal levels, except for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in the pre-pubertal group.